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B&J Public Comment: Regarding Board of Fisheries Prince William Sound Management Area Proposals 14-17
Advocating for Alaska’s Future: Support for Board of Fisheries Proposals 14–17
How These Critical Measures Protect Prince William Sound’s Ecosystems, Economy, and Communities
B&J Sporting Goods
113 W Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage AK 99503 | (907) 274.6113 | bnjsg.com
Proposals: Prince William Sound Management Area Proposals 14-17
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Board of Fisheries Division
Attn: Art Nelson, Executive Director & BoF Members
P.O. Box 115526
1255 W. 8th Street
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
November 25, 2024
Dear Members of the Alaska Board of Fisheries,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on Proposals 14, 15, 16, and 17. As the owner of B&J Sporting Goods, Alaska’s largest fishing tackle and bait shop, I write on behalf of our business and the many Alaskans we serve who rely on Prince William Sound for their livelihoods, sustenance, and recreation. These proposals address critical issues that impact the health of our marine ecosystems, the sustainability of our fisheries, and the long-term prosperity of Alaska’s communities. We appreciate your commitment to carefully considering these proposals and ensuring that the regulations governing Alaska’s fisheries align with the best interests of the people and ecosystems of our state.
Proposal 14: Support
As Alaska’s largest fishing tackle and bait shop, we strongly support Proposal 14, which would allow ADF&G to close the fishery if pelagic trawl gear makes bottom contact or Chinook salmon are caught. The waters of Prince William Sound are vital to Alaska’s economy, culture, and food security, sustaining over 300 fish species that support subsistence, commercial, and sport fisheries. While midwater trawl gear is intended to avoid seabed contact, evidence shows this is not consistently achieved, resulting in habitat destruction and increased bycatch. This is deeply concerning to us, and we desire to see the damage done to our irreplaceable sea floor mitigate to the maximum possible potential. Allowing ADF&G to act swiftly in these cases protects the broader interests of Alaskans, ensuring our resources are managed sustainably.
Proposal 15: Support
We support Proposal 15, which seeks to modify bycatch limits in the pelagic trawl fishery by decoupling them from pollock harvest amounts. Linking bycatch limits to pollock harvest fails to address the ecological realities of species conservation. By prioritizing the health of vulnerable species like Chinook salmon and rockfish, this proposal reflects responsible resource management that aligns with Alaska’s values of sustainability and long-term economic health. The proposal benefits not just commercial interests but also the subsistence and sportfishing communities who rely on these ecosystems.
Proposal 16: Support
We strongly support Proposal 16, which calls for the closure of the Prince William Sound pelagic trawl fishery. This fishery poses a direct threat to the ecosystems and communities of Prince William Sound, contributing to habitat degradation, significant bycatch, and competition with directed fisheries. The Sound is a cornerstone of Alaska’s economy, supporting tourism, recreation, and small-scale commercial fisheries. Closing this fisher to pelagic trawl is a necessary step to preserve the balance and health of these interconnected systems for future generations.
Proposal 17: Support
We support Proposal 17, which requires electronic monitoring and observers on pelagic trawl vessels. Transparency and accountability are critical in fisheries management, and electronic monitoring addresses longstanding issues with underreporting and enforcement. Alaska’s fisheries have long been held as a global model of sustainability, and proposals like this reinforce our state’s leadership in responsible resource management. While monitoring alone cannot solve all the challenges posed by industrial trawling, it is a vital tool to ensure compliance and provide accurate data for informed decision-making.
Closing Statement
In closing, we urge the Board of Fisheries to pass Proposals 14, 15, 16, and 17 as necessary steps to protect the integrity of Alaska’s fisheries and the communities they support. Prince William Sound is not just a vital economic resource but a cornerstone of our culture and way of life. These proposals provide an opportunity to safeguard our marine ecosystems from the harmful effects of industrial trawling and ensure sustainable management practices that prioritize Alaska’s long-term interests.
Thank you for your dedication to stewarding Alaska’s fisheries responsibly. We appreciate the opportunity to share our perspective and remain committed to supporting efforts that preserve and protect these invaluable resources for future generations.
Sincerely,
Troy Arnold
Owner
B&J Sporting Goods, Anchorage, AK
B&J’s Tackle Repair Center, Anchorage, AK
B&J’s Tackle Box, Whittier, AK
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